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The weather has been quite a topic of conversation lately .. most people sick of the cold and snow. And while I’m ready for spring myself, today there were just some incredibly beautiful scenes to be soaked up.

There are a few places near where I lived in Wisconsin, the Sauk Prairie area in particular, where eagles gather. They can be seen routinely flying along the Wisconsin River and there are days each spring devoted to watching them. They are beautiful. Big. Majestic. Watching them, seeing them even from a distance is mesmerizing. I get shivers down my spine with awe and admiration.

But outside of that particular area, I can’t say I would ever routinely see them.

So the fact I have seen one to two a week since moving to South Dakota has been exciting for me and I try and pay attention when things like this happen. While it may be random, purely coincidence and insignificant other than they happen to be in the same area I am in hunting for food or out for a daily gotta-get-some-exercise flight, sometimes things do carry with them an energy. A meaning

Plus, as I have voiced my excitement about seeing them, the response I have gotten from just about everyone is, “Really? I don’t ever see any!”

………..

After having one fly very low over my car yesterday as I was heading out of town, having just dropped my daughter off at school .. I felt like perhaps someone was trying to tell me something. And, I am believer in totems. So I came home and looked up what it might mean. I had had it explained to me before but I couldn’t remember.

While there are many different opinions on this, I appreciate the one listed on the link above. Especially given this most recent transition in life and the challenges and opportunities before us.

Coincidence or not, I appreciate even contemplating the thought they may be a sign.

I ask the Cowboy what he thinks. “I think it’s a bunch of mambajahamba and believing in that is about as crazy as running around with a bunch of chicken bones around your neck.” And he’s part Native American.

He laughs. So do I. Who cares. I like the thought.

…………..

Ironically, as I sit down to write this morning, I see this tweet from @TravelWI:

The snow hadn’t yet started to fly this afternoon but the wind had kicked up something fierce once again on the Great Plains by late this afternoon and there was a damp chill in the air.

The grove of trees the herd was lined up against the other day was facing the wrong direction to help with tonight’s howling winds. So a few of them cozied up behind one of the loafing sheds this latest go round with Mother Nature.

The huddle.

As I ran out to snap a few photos, they all turned and looked at me, I think wanting to come over and say hello like they usually do. But all stood their ground, not wanting to give up the wind break for any other in the herd.

I smiled at them. And as the cold, bitter air sent a sharp pain through my front teeth, I scurried back inside, seeking warmth and shelter again myself.

The first thing I do usually when I wake each morning here in South Dakota, is look out one of our east facing windows. I think I have just about always done the same wherever I have lived, I love the morning sun and the promise of each new day. But for reasons I am about to share, the sunrise here is just different, and I appreciate each and every one I am able to enjoy.

The past 15 years of my life in Madison, WI there were typically neighbors homes or trees blocking the view and the sound of cars whipping by a busy road accompanying any morning light.

My time in Montana is perhaps the best comparison. As you can imagine, there were magnificent views in each direction and a bold skyline of snow capped mountains, rich green forests, clear ice blue rivers, and deep shadows in the valleys, all soaking up the sun as it would rise in the sky. But the sunrise would come in beautiful stages.

Here, it is instant it seems, the first crack of light is far and wide, like a fire spreading across the horizon. It is sincerely unlike any other I have ever experienced simply because, if for no other reason, there is nothing to block your view (well, maybe the power lines) as far as the eye can see.

Late Morning Sunrise in South Dakota

While this morning once again did not disappoint – 6:45 a.m., deep shades of pink, orange, yellow and bright blue were mingling together across the horizon – there was one thing blocking the view. At least through one window.

Frost on the Window

While I know the sheer amount of frost here is not good for the wood frames and a clear indication we need new windows/better insulation/etc (a project we plan to tackle in coming months) I tried to ignore that for the time being and soak in the moment.

The pattern of the frost was a bit mesmerizing and I loved the first light of dawn shining through.

Another frigid day on the plains of South Dakota brought a return of the Sun Dogs.

…………

We had only started to drive away from the house this morning on our way to school, when I started searching for my sunglasses. While I hate to ever complain about the sun, it was incredibly bright. It took me a moment to realize why.

Turning onto our dirt road, I glanced toward the sky and startled our 11 year old when I shouted, “The Sun Dogs are back!”

Incredible Morning Sky

While admiring the glow and the beautiful drive into town, I called the Cowboy and asked him to grab the camera and snap a few shots back at the ranch. He claims to not really know what he’s doing with the lens, but I love this image from today in particular.

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Today’s snow came early, was heavy, wet and fell fast. The Interstate is closed to our north, to the west and throughout much of the state, officials are asking people not to travel.

Break From the Wind

We made it home just before noon and are bunkered down for the day. But I had to run and grab a few pics when we pulled back into the drive. It’s the first time I’ve seen the herd all lined up along the tree and fence line in an effort to get relief from the South Dakota winds. Beautiful.

You never know what Mother Nature is going to dish up, despite what the forecast calls for. But this weekend’s storm seemed about as certain as a forecast can get. Rain turning into sleet turning into snow with high winds to follow.

Yet, in the middle of the day Saturday, it was about as beautiful and calm as early February can get.

While the Cowboy moved up a few appointments he had scheduled for Sunday/Monday .. I cleaned up around our place. Put things away the kids had gotten out. Made room once again in our workshop for the four wheeler. And looked for a way to take care of the burn pile that had once again been stacking up before it was buried in snow.

Most of it being boxes that had until now, held all of my boots off-season.

As we continue to look for creative ways to fit all of our collective belongings into a very small ranch home with little storage .. the Cowboy asked me the other week, why I was keeping them. I, of course, let him know why adding that if I ever decide to put a pair on eBay, then I have the original packaging to send them in.

“You don’t need to keep those,” he encouraged me to give them up in the name of more space for other things. He’s was right.

Instead of heading off to do other chores or back inside, I grabbed a glass of wine and sat awhile on a log next to the fire-pit. It felt cathartic in some ways. Watching. Taking a deep breath. Seeing more clutter disappear out of the house and our lives. And as I watched the pile burn ..

I was enjoying the time I had to just be still and appreciating how quiet it was, that the only sounds around me were that of the crackling fire and a gentle wind. They were some pretty simple moments, moments we don’t often take.

But they were moments yesterday, that allowed me to reflect back on the trip I took to Austin, TX. A pivotal point in my life in recent years. Where I bought the most awesome pair of boots that had been in the last box to burn. (the boots weren’t in the burning box, to clarify.)

And I couldn’t help but smile to think of the decisions in my life to come out of that trip, and the path those boots have been on since.